Oil cooler

ABSTRACT

A heat exchanger of the tube-fin type comprising a tank (10) having first (14) and second (16) ends, a plurality of tubes (34), a plurality of baffles (38) and a plurality of fins (42). A cap (50, 52) is connected to each end (14, 16) of the tank (10) and includes a fluid coupler (60, 61). Each cap (50, 52) comprises a female member (74) disposed therein including a plurality of interior passageways (88), first (90) and second (92) annular channels intersecting with opposite ends of the passageways (88), and a plurality of islands (94) bounded by the passageways (88) and first (90) and second (92) channels. The tank (10) further comprises a male member (72) extending from each end (14, 16) and including a plurality of outwardly extending tabs (76), an annular extending rim (82), and an annular resilient seal (84). A cap (50, 52 ) is disposed about each end (14, 16) of the tank (10) by inserting the tabs (76) into the longitudinal passageways (88) and extending the cap (50, 52) about the tank (10) until the tabs (76) intersect with the second channel (92) and rotated block the cap (50, 52) and the tank end (14, 16) together.

This is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 467,999filed on Jan. 2, 1990, now abandoned.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject invention relates generally to heat exchangers and, morespecifically, to the connection of the inlet and outlet of an oil coolerto fixed parts of an engine.

BACKGROUND ART

Heat exchangers are often used as automobile oil coolers for maintainingthe viscosity characteristics of the oil as it circulates throughout theengine components. U.S. Pat. No. 4,324,213 to Kasting et al, issued Apr.13, 1982 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,795 to applicant, issued Apr. 18, 1989disclose heat exchangers used for cooling the oil in an automotiveengine. The oil coolers generally include a tank having a hot fluidinlet and outlet and integral cap members closing each end of the tankand providing a cooling fluid inlet and outlet. The hot fluid andcooling fluid inlets and outlets are connected to corresponding rigidcouplers on the engine housing. The cap members are fixedly connected tothe ends of the tank, such as by a weld, to prevent relative movementtherebetween. As can be appreciated, a slight offset in the orientationangle of the cap inlet and outlet in relation to the tank inlet andoutlet would make for difficult assembly to the engine housing. Uponconnection to the housing, the offset in the orientation angle couldcause stress and fatigue to the oil cooler and/or engine housing andresult in failure of the oil cooler.

Various methods have been employed to provide a rotational connectionbetween the tank and the cap members to allow for adjustment of theorientation angle between the hot fluid inlet and outlet and the coolingfluid inlet and outlet. Many of these methods include tabs extendingradially from a male member received in channels disposed axially withina female member. The tabs are further rotated in an annular groove ofthe female member thus locking the two members together.

U.S. Pat. No. 788,200 to Finch, issued Apr. 25, 1905, discloses aconnection between a pipe section and a tubular sleeve for ordinaryheating-stoves. The tubular sleeve comprises an interior annular grooveand a plurality of interior longitudinal channels intersecting at theirinner ends with the annular groove. The pipe section comprises exteriortabs corresponding to the longitudinal channels. The tabs are receivedin the channels and rotated into the annular groove to lock the pipesection and tubular sleeve together.

The U.S. Pat. No. 4,379,574 to Leichtl, issued Apr. 12, 1983, disclosesa heat exchanger assembly, such as a radiator, including a filler spoutextending from an opening in the assembly. The opening is formed with aninwardly extending skirt having a plurality of cam/lock sections. Eachsection comprises a receiving end, a leading surface, and a lockingrecess, defined by a stop. The opening includes a plurality of radialslots extending radially of the skirt and adjacent the receiving end ofthe cam surfaces. The opening further includes an annular sealing recessfor receiving a seal. The spout comprises an upper portion having aradially extending shoulder and a lower portion having a plurality ofradially extending tabs. The spout is inserted into the opening bypassing the tabs through the slots. The tabs are received by thereceiving end of the cam surface and as the spout is rotated in acounterclockwise direction, the tabs move along the cam surface untilthey snap into the locking recess and abut against the stop. The seal iscompressed between the shoulder of the spout and the sealing recess inthe opening to provide a fluid impervious connection.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,811,337 to Andersen, issued Oct. 29, 1957, discloses aheat exchanger comprising a shell having a first and second end definedby a flaring portion formed integral with a body portion of the tank. Afirst O-ring provides a seal between the flaring portion and a headerwithin the tank. The assembly further includes caps connected to theends of the tank and having inlet and outlet conduits. The caps includea rim having an annular flange and a shoulder. The flange abuts againstthe first O-ring to provide a seal between the body and cap and theshoulder abuts against the header to prevent axial movement of the cap.A retainer ring is seated in the flaring portion to connect the cap tothe body of the tank and further prevent axial movement therebetween. Asecond O-ring provides a seal between the caps and the flaring portion.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,956,704 to Boni, Jr., issued Oct. 18, 1960, discloses aheat exchanger welded to a head barrel wall and including a tube inlet,tube outlet and head chamber. A tube sheet is positioned in the headchamber between the heat exchanger and the head barrel wall. A tube passhousing member is connected to a portion of the tube sheet and comprisesan outlet elbow coupled to the tube outlet. The housing member and tubesheet are fixedly secured to the head barrel wall within the headchamber by a locking ring. The locking ring includes a bayonet typeconnection by including lugs engaging corresponding lugs on the barrelwall. A sealing ring is positioned between the tube sheet and thelocking ring and compression screws engage the seal and compress itagainst the tube sheet and further lock the lugs together. Theconnection between the locking ring and the head barrel wall, however,does not allow for rotation of the locking ring relative to the tubesheet.

It remains desirable to provide a rotatable connection between an endcap and a tank of a heat exchanger, such that, the connection maintainsa fluid impervious seal between the cap and the tank, yet allowsrotation between the cap and the tank for orientation of the hot fluidinlet and outlet relative to the cooling fluid inlet and outlet.Further, such a connection is desirable to relax the tolerances requiredin manufacturing the heat exchanger and to reduce the effort indisassembling and repairing the heat exchanger. Further, such aconnection is desirable to increase the heat transfer characteristics inthe heat exchanger by using the cap members as fluid reservoirs toincrease the capacity of fluid flow and heat transfer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a heatexchanger assembly comprising tank means having a longitudinal axisextending between a first and second end for conveying fluidtherethrough, heat exchanger means disposed in the tank means forremoving heat energy from the fluid, attachment means fixed to the tankmeans in a predetermined position extending radially from thelongitudinal axis for attaching the tank means to a vehicle, and capmeans for closing at least one of the first and second ends. The capmeans includes a coupler for connection to a fluid conduit. The assemblyis characterized by including connection means interconnecting the capmeans and one end of the tank means for maintaining a fluid imperviousseal between the cap means and the one end of the tank means and forallowing relative rotation between the cap means and the tank means toannularly adjust the position of the coupler with the fluid conduit. Theassembly is further characterized by the connection means including amale member having at least two tabs spaced circumferentially apart apredetermined arcuate distance about the axis and a female member havingan interior annular channel intersecting with at least two axiallyextending interior passageways disposed parallel to one another andspaced circumferentially the predetermined distance for receiving thetabs of the male member. The male member further includes an annular rimand the female member includes at least a portion of an annular wall. Aresilient sealing means is compressed between the rim and the wall forlocking the tabs in the annular channel while establishing a fluidimpervious seal therebetween and for allowing relative rotation betweenthe cap means and the tank means.

FIGURES IN THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated asthe same becomes better understood by reference to the followingdetailed description when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembly made in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along lines 3--3 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the cap means and tank meansof FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 5--5 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along lines 6--6 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an end view of the assembly of FIG. 1 shown in connection withan engine housing;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the connection means of FIG. 3prior to connection; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the connection means of FIG. 3after connection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the Figures wherein like numerals indicate like orcorresponding parts throughout the several views, a heat exchangerassembly of the shell and tube type is shown as including a tank meansgenerally indicated at 10. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the tank means 10,generally cylindrical or tubular in shape, includes a longitudinal axisbetween first 14 and second 16 ends. The tank means 10 includes a tankhot fluid inlet 18 and a tank hot fluid outlet 20 extending radiallyoutwardly of the tank means 10, and a tank cooling fluid inlet 22 andtank cooling fluid outlet 24 extending parallel with the longitudinalaxis at each end 14, 16 of the tank means 10. The tank means 10 furtherdefines a hot fluid reservoir 30 disposed between the first 14 andsecond 16 ends. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the hot fluid and coolingfluid are shown in a counterflow direction, that is, the hot fluidpasses through the tank means 10 in the opposite direction of thecooling fluid. It will b appreciated that the tank hot fluid inlet 18and tank hot fluid outlet 20 may be reversed such that the hot fluidflows in the same direction as the cooling fluid.

A heat exchanger means, generally shown at 32, is disposed within thetank means 10 and includes a plurality of cylindrical tubes 34 disposedparallel to the longitudinal axis within the tank means 10 and extendingbetween first 14 and second 16 ends. A header 36, being disk-like andhaving a diameter equal to that of the inside diameter of the tank means10, supports one end of the tubes 34 at the first end 14 of the tankmeans 10 and provides a fluid impervious barrier between the tankcooling fluid inlet 22 and the hot fluid reservoir 30. Likewise, aheader 37 supports the opposite end of the tubes 34 at the second end 16of the tank means 10 and provides a fluid impervious barrier between thetank cooling fluid outlet 24 and the hot fluid reservoir 30. The headers36, 37 are sealed to the inner surface of the tube by welding, solderingor with an O-ring, to provide such a fluid impervious seal. The ends ofthe tubes 34 extend through openings 35 in the headers 36, 37 so thatthe cooling fluid may pass through the tank inlet 22, enter the tubes34, and exit the tank outlet 24 without being exposed to the hot fluidflow in the reservoir 30. The ends of the tubes 34 are likewise sealed,by welding, soldering or with an O-ring, within the headers 36, 37 toprovide a fluid impervious seal therebetween. The heat exchanger means32 further includes a plurality of baffles 38 spaced between the headers36, 37 for directing the hot fluid flow throughout the hot fluidreservoir 30. The tubes 34 pass through openings 40 within the baffles38. The baffles 38 extend outwardly from the inner surface of the tankmeans 10 at alternating sides thereof and are of less diameter than theinside diameter of the tank means 10 to allow a directional pathway forthe hot fluid flow indicated by the directional arrows as shown in FIG.3. The baffles 38 create a multi-pass flow of the hot fluid about thetubes 34 of the cooling fluid, the number of passes varying according tothe number of baffles 38. The heat exchanger means 32 further includes aplurality of fins 42 having a plurality of openings 44 therethrough forpassage of the tubes 34. The fins 42 are spaced closely togetherthroughout the tank means 10 for disbursing the hot fluid extensivelyabout the tubes 34. The fins 42 are further discussed in Applicants U.S.Pat. No. 4,821,795, issued Apr. 18, 1989.

Attachment means 46, 47 extend radially outwardly from the tank means10, each at a predetermined fixed position axially along the tank 10,for securing the assembly to a vehicle. The attachment means 46, 47 aregenerally rectangular in cross-section and extend outwardly andperpendicular to the longitudinal axis from the bottom portion of thetank means 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6. The attachment means 46, 47include a plurality of apertures 48 therethrough for receiving afastening member (not shown) upon connection to a vehicle. Theattachment means 46, 47 further include, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, anattachment hot fluid inlet 64 in fluid communication with the tank hotfluid inlet 18, and an attachment hot fluid outlet 65 in fluidcommunication with the tank hot fluid outlet 20. The attachment means46, 47 further include, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, duct means 67, 68disposed about and defining the hot fluid inlets 18, 64 and hot fluidoutlets 20, 65. The duct means 67, 68 extend radially outwardly from thetank means 10 to the top surface of the attachment means 46, 47 in thefashion of a gusset. The duct means 67, 68 create a wall or channelabout the attachment hot fluid inlet 64 and attachment hot fluid outlet65 and the tank hot fluid inlet 18 and tank hot fluid outlet 20respectively. The duct means 67, 68 further create a passageway forproviding fluid communication between the hot fluid inlets 18, 64 andhot fluid outlets 20, 65.

Cap means 50, 52, as shown in FIG. 4, are generally cylindrical incross-section in a plane taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axisand include an opening 53, an annular inner surface 56, and a back wall59. The cap means 50, 52 include hollow cylindrical couplers 60, 61extending radially outwardly and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.It will be appreciated that the couplers 60, 61 may extend from the capmeans 50, 52 at any angle relative to the longitudinal axis. Further,the couplers 60, 61 may be positioned parallel to the longitudinal axis.The location of the couplers 60, 61 as shown is merely for illustrationand may be positioned at any location about the cap means 50, 52. Thecouplers 60, 61 comprise an annular resilient sealing means 62, such asan O-ring, positioned in an annular groove 63 at the upper portion ofthe coupler 60, 61 for connection to a fluid conduit 102, 103. The capmeans 50 includes a cap cooling fluid inlet 54 extending through thecoupler 60 and in fluid communication with the tank cooling fluid inlet22 and the cap means 52 includes a cap cooling fluid outlet 55 extendingthrough the coupler 61 and in fluid communication with the tank coolingfluid outlet 24. The cap means 50 further includes a cooling fluid inletreservoir 57 disposed between the cap inlet 54 and the tank inlet 22and, likewise, the cap means 52 further includes a cooling fluid outletreservoir 58 disposed between the cap outlet 55 and tank outlet 24. Thecooling fluid reservoirs 57, 58 may further be defined by being boundedby the opening 53 in the cap means 50, 52, the inner surface 56, and theback wall 59.

The subject invention is characterized by including connection means 70for interconnecting the cap means 50, 52 with the first 14 and second 16ends of the tank means 10. Each connection means 70 includes a malemember 72 being an integral extension of the tank means 10, and a femalemember 74 being integral with and disposed within the cap means 50, 52.The male member 72 includes a plurality of outwardly extending tabs 76spaced circumferentially at a predetermined arcuate distance apart fromthe longitudinal axis. The tabs 76 are generally rectangular incross-section in a plane taken parallel to the longitudinal axis, andgenerally L-shaped in cross-section in a plane taken perpendicular tothe axis. Viewing the tabs 76 from a side view, as shown in FIG. 3, thetabs 76 may be further defined by having an L-shaped slot 78 extendingtherearound. The tabs 76 further include a bearing surface 77 which willbe further described below. The male member 72 further comprises aradially extending annular rim 82 spaced longitudinally from the tabs 76and integral with the tank means 10. The annular rim 82 comprises a topsurface 83, a front bearing surface 85, and a rear surface 87. Aresilient annular sealing means 84, such as an O-ring, is furtherdisposed about the male member 72 positioned between the tabs 76 and theannular rim 82. The rim 82 is generally rectangular in cross section,thus providing a wall or barrier for the sealing means 84.

The female member 74, as shown in FIG. 4, includes a plurality ofaxially extending interior passageways 88 disposed parallel to oneanother and further spaced circumferentially a predetermined arcuatedistance coinciding with that of the tabs 76. The female member 74includes a first 90 and second 92 interior annular channel. The channels90, 92 are spaced longitudinally apart and intersect with opposite endsof the passageways 88. The first channel 90 further extends to theopening 53 of the cap member 50, 52 forming a receiving flange. Thefemale member 74 further comprises a plurality of arcuate islands 94spaced about the interior surface 56 of the cap means 50, 52 and furtherbounded by the first 90 and second 92 channels and the interiorpassageways 88. The arcuate islands 94 are generally rectangular incross-section and provide at least a portion of an annular wall 94. Thearcuate islands 94 include side walls 110, 111, a front arcuate bearingsurface 112, a rear arcuate bearing surface 114 and a top surface 116.The annular wall 94 is composed of the arcuate islands 94 positionedcircumferentially about the inner surface of the flange of cap means 50,52 and spaced apart by the passageways 88 thus, interrupting the annularwall 94. Similarly, an annular wall 118 is formed between the interiorannular channel 92 and the inner surface 56 of the cap means 50, 52.

In assembly, as best shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 8 and 9, the tank means 10 andcap means 50, 52 are orientated by aligning the markings or arrows oneach corresponding exterior surface. In this position, as the cap means50, 52 is disposed about the exterior end 14, 16 of the tank means 10,the tabs 76 of the male member 72 will align with correspondingpassageways 88 of the female member 74. The cap means 50, 52 iscontinued axially along the longitudinal axis about the end 14, 16 ofthe tank means 10 until the resilient sealing means 84 abuts between thefront bearing surface 85 of the annular rim 82 and the plurality ofarcuate bearing surfaces 112 of the islands 94. As shown in FIG. 8, thetabs 76 are still positioned partially in the passageways 88 andpartially extending or intersecting with the second interior annularchannel 92. The cap means 50, 52 is further continued axially along thetank means 10, compressing the resilient sealing means 84 between therim 82 and islands or wall 94. The compression of the sealing means 84further allows the tabs to extend completely into the channel 92,passing beyond the rear surface 114 of the islands 94. The cap means 50,52 is then rotated in either a clockwise or counterclockwise directionto move the tabs 76 out of the passageways 88 and lock the cap means 50,52 and tank means 10 together as shown in FIG. 9.

In the locked position, the resilient sealing means 84 establishes abias force of the tabs 76 against the rear bearing surface 114 of theislands 94. Furthermore, the resilient sealing means 84 limits orrestrains axial movement of the cap means 50, 52 relative to the tankmeans 10 by maintaining the tabs 76 in abutment with the islands 94 andfurther restraining separation therefrom.

The cap means 50, 52 are free to rotate about the tank means 10 fororientation of the conduits 60, 61 with corresponding conduits 102, 103.Similarly, the tank means 10 may be rotated to align the hot fluid inlet64 and outlet 65 with corresponding conduits 104, 105. The rotatableconnection between the tank means 10 and the cap means 50, 52 isprovided by the interaction of the smooth arcuate bearing surfaces 85,112 against the sealing means 84 and further by the bearing surfaces 114of the islands 94 against the bearing surfaces 77 of the tabs 76. It isimportant that the bearing surfaces 112, 114 of the islands form atleast a portion of an arcuate wall 94, or alternatively a completeannular wall 118, so that the sealing means 84 and tabs 76 rotate onsmooth bearing surfaces for minimum friction wear and drag and maximumsealing and rotation.

It will further be appreciated that the sealing means 84 could provide afluid impervious seal by being positioned in the channel 92 andcompressed between the end 14, 16 of the tank means 10 and the annularwall 118 formed by the channel 9 and inner surface 56. Thus, the annularwall 94 could include the plurality of arcuate islands 94 separated bypassageways 88 or the annular wall 118.

The assembly is commonly used as an oil cooler operating with a vehicleengine block 106 as shown in FIG. 7. The engine block comprising anengine housing 108 having hot fluid inlet and outlet lines 104, 105 andcooling fluid inlet and outlet conduits 102, 103. The hot fluid lines104, 105 extend from the engine housing 108 through a mounting base 100.The engine housing 108 and mounting base 100 are rigid thus forming afixed angle between the hot fluid inlet and outlet lines 104, 105 andthe cooling fluid inlet and outlet conduits 102, 103. In connection, thecap means 50, 52 on each end 14, 16 of the tank means 10 are rotated,aligned and positioned into the fixed cooling fluid inlet and outletconduits respectively. The resilient sealing means 62 provides a fluidimpervious barrier therebetween. The connection means 70 between the capmeans 50, 52 and tank means 10 allows for rotation of the tank means 10about the longitudinal axis to align the attachment means 46, 47 withthe mounting base 100 and likewise the hot fluid inlet 64 and outlet 65with the fixed hot fluid inlet and outlet lines 104, 105 respectively.The attachment means 46, 47 are fixedly secured to the mounting base 100by placing fasteners (not shown) through the apertures 48. A sealinggasket (not shown) is seated between the attachment means 46, 47 and themounting base to provide a fluid seal therebetween. It will be noted thealignment between the flat bottom surface of the attachment means 46, 47and the mounting base 100 requires extreme accuracy to perfect a fluidseal due to the rigidity of the two members. Thus, the rotationalcapability provided by the connection means 70 eliminates the need tomanufacture the oil cooler assembly with great accuracy, causing greatexpense. Any inaccuracies may be compensated for by the rotation andalignment of the cap means 50, 52 and/or tank means 10. The connectionmeans 20 further provides facile field service without completedisassembly.

In operation, the assembly acts as a heat exchanger for cooling hotfluid, such as oil, as it circulates through the tank means 10 about thetubes 34 of cooling fluid. Hot oil may be pumped through the hot fluidline 104, enter the assembly by way of the attachment hot fluid inlet64, pass through the duct means 67 and through the tank hot fluid inlet18 to enter the hot fluid reservoir 30. The hot fluid flows about thetubes 34 being directed through the reservoir 30 by the baffles 38 anddispersed about the tubes 34 by the fins 42. The hot fluid exits thetank means 10 at the tank hot fluid outlet 20 passing through the ductmeans 68 and attachment hot fluid outlet 65 and through the hot fluidline 104 to recirculate throughout the engine housing 108.Simultaneously, the cooling fluid flows from the fluid conduit 102,enters the cap cooling fluid inlet 54, flows through the coupler 60,fills the cooling fluid inlet reservoir 57, and proceeds into the tankmeans 10 by way of the tank cooling fluid inlet 22. The cooling fluidthen enters the end of the tubes 34 at the first end 14 of the tankmeans 10, travels along the longitudinal axis to the second end 16 ofthe tank means 10, and exits the tank means 10 by way of the tankcooling fluid outlet 24. The cooling fluid then fills the cooling fluidoutlet reservoir 58, flows through the coupler 61 and exits through thecap cooling fluid outlet 55 and into the fluid conduit 103 torecirculate through a cooling unit 108.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is tobe understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to bein the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionare possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims whereinreference numerals are merely for convenience and are not to be in anyway limiting, the invention may be practiced otherwise than asspecifically described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A heat exchanger assembly comprising:tank means(10) having a longitudinal axis extending between first (14) and second(16) ends for conveying fluid therethrough, heat exchanger means (32)disposed in said tank means (10) for removing heat energy from thefluid, attachment means (46, 47) fixed to said tank means (10) at apredetermined position extending radially from said axis for attachingsaid tank means (10) to a vehicle, cap means (50, 52) for closing atleast one of said first (14) and second (16) ends and including acoupler (60, 61) for connection to a fluid conduit (102, 103); saidassembly characterized by including connection means (70)interconnecting said cap means (50, 52) and said one end (14, 16) ofsaid tank means (10) for maintaining a fluid impervious seal betweensaid cap means (50, 52) and said one end (14, 16) and for allowingrelative rotation between said cap means (50, 52) and said tank means(10) to annularly adjust the position of said coupler (60, 61) with saidfluid conduit (102, 103), said connection means (70) including a malemember (72) having at least two tabs (76) spaced circumferentially aparta predetermined arcuate distance about said axis and a female member(74) having an interior annular channel (92) intersecting with at leasttwo axially extending interior passageways (88) disposed parallel to oneanother and spaced circumferentially said predetermined distance forreceiving said tabs (76) of said male member (72), said male member (72)further including an annular rim (82) and said female member (74)including at least a portion of an annular wall (94, 118) and saidconnection means (70) including resilient sealing means (84) compressedbetween said rim (82) and said wall (94, 118) for locking said tabs (76)in said annular channel (92) while establishing a fluid impervious sealtherebetween and for allowing relative rotation between said cap means(50, 52) and said tank means (10).
 2. An assembly as set forth in claim1 further characterized by said female member (74) having first (90) andsecond (92) interior annular and longitudinally spaced channelsintersecting with opposite ends of said passageways (88) to thereby forma plurality of spaced islands (94) bounded by said first (90) and second(92) channels and said passageways (88).
 3. An assembly as set forth inclaim 2 further characterized by said islands (94) forming said portionsof an annular wall (94) continuing about the interior circumference ofsaid female member (74) said portions (94) being interrupted by saidaxial passageways (88).
 4. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 furthercharacterized by said tabs (76) being an integral extension of said malemember (72) and each tab (76) having a generally L-shaped cross-sectionin a plane taken perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.
 5. An assemblyas set forth in claim 6 further characterized by said male member (72)including an L-shaped slot (78) extending about each of said tabs (76).6. An assembly as set forth in claim 5 further characterized by saidannular rim (82) extending radially from said male member (72) andspaced longitudinally from said tabs (76) and said resilient annularsealing means (84) disposed between said rim (82) and said islands (94).7. An assembly as set forth in claim 6 further characterized by saidmale member (72) being integral with and extending from said tank means(10) and said female member (74) being integral with and disposed withinsaid cap means (50, 52).
 8. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 furthercharacterized by said coupler (60, 61) being generally cylindrical andhaving resilient sealing means (62) for providing a fluid imperviousseal between said coupler (60, 61) and the fluid conduit (102).
 9. Anassembly as set forth in claim 8 further characterized by said tankmeans (10) being generally cylindrical and having a tank hot fluid inlet(18), a tank hot fluid outlet (20), a tank cooling fluid inlet (22), atank cooling fluid outlet (24), and a hot fluid reservoir (30) disposedbetween said first (14) and second (16) ends.
 10. An assembly as setforth in claim 9 further characterized by said heat exchanger means (32)including a plurality of generally cylindrical tubes (34) parallel tosaid longitudinal axis, said tubes (34) being disposed in said tankmeans (10) and extending between said first (14) and second (16) end.11. An assembly as set forth in claim 10 further characterized by saidheat exchanger means (32) further including cylindrical headers (36, 37)for support of each end of said tubes (34) and for providing a fluidimpervious barrier between said hot fluid reservoir (30) and said tankcooling fluid inlet (22) and said tank cooling fluid outlet (24).
 12. Anassembly as set forth in claim 11 further characterized by said heatexchanger means (32) further including a plurality of baffles (38) fordirecting the flow of fluid about said tubes (34), said baffles (38)having a plurality of openings (40) therethrough for passage of saidtubes (34).
 13. An assembly as set forth in claim 12 furthercharacterized by said heat exchanger means (32) further including aplurality of fins (42) for dispersing the fluid about said tubes (34),said fins (42) having a plurality of openings (44) therethrough forpassage of said tubes (34).
 14. An assembly as set forth in claim 13further characterized by said cap means (50, 52) further including a capcooling fluid inlet (54) and cap cooling fluid outlet (55) in fluidcommunication with said tank cooling fluid inlet (22) and said tankcooling fluid outlet (24) respectively.
 15. An assembly as set forth inclaim 14 further characterized by said cap means (50, 52) furtherincluding a cooling fluid inlet reservoir (57) disposed between said capcooling fluid inlet (54) and said tank cooling fluid inlet (22) and acooling fluid outlet reservoir (58) disposed between said cap coolingfluid outlet (55) and said tank cooling fluid outlet (24).
 16. Anassembly as set forth in claim 15 further characterized by saidattachment means (46, 47) generally rectangular in shape and extendingradially from said tank means (10) and including a plurality ofapertures (48) therethrough for attachment to the vehicle.
 17. Anassembly as set forth in claim 16 further characterized by saidattachment means (46, 47) further including an attachment hot fluidinlet (64) and an attachment hot fluid outlet (64) in fluidcommunication with said tank hot fluid inlet (18) and said tank hotfluid outlet (20) respectively.
 18. An assembly as set forth in claim 17further characterized by said attachment means (46, 47) furtherincluding duct means (67, 68) disposed about said attachment hot fluidinlet (64) and tank hot fluid inlet (18) and further disposed about saidattachment hot fluid outlet (65) and said tank hot fluid outlet (20) forproviding a fluid passageway between said inlets (18, 64) and saidoutlets (20, 65).
 19. A heat exchanger assembly of the tube-fin typecomprising:a tank (10) having a longitudinal axis extending betweenfirst (14) and second (16) ends and including a tank hot fluid inlet(18), a tank hot fluid outlet (20), a tank cooling fluid inlet (22), atank cooling fluid outlet (24) and a hot fluid reservoir (30); a heatexchanger (32) disposed in the tank (10) including a plurality of tubes(34) supported at each end by cylindrical headers (36, 37), a pluralityof baffles (38) spaced longitudinally in the tank (10) and a pluralityof fins (42) spaced closely within the tank (10); a cap (50, 52)disposed about each end (14, 16) of the tank (10) including a coupler(60, 61) extending radially from the longitudinal axis and having a seal(62) disposed thereabout; the cap (50) further including a cap coolingfluid inlet (54) and a cooling fluid inlet reservoir (57) and the cap(52) further including a cap cooling fluid outlet (55) and a coolingfluid outlet reservoir (58); a connection (70) between each cap (50, 52)and each end (14, 16) of the tank (10) including a plurality oflongitudinal passageways (88) disposed within the cap (50, 52), a first(90) and second (92) annular channel intersecting with opposite ends ofthe passageways (88), a plurality of arcuate island (94) bounded by theintersection of the first (90 and second (92) channel and thepassageways (88), a plurality of radially extending tabs (76) receivedin the passageways (88) and further rotated into the second channel(92), the tabs (76) further defined by having an L-shaped slot (78)formed thereabout, an annular extending rim (82) spaced longitudinallyfrom the tabs (76), and a resilient annular seal (84) disposed betweenthe rim (82) and the arcuate islands (94); and a plurality ofattachments (46, 47) extending radially of the longitudinal axis andhaving a plurality of apertures (48) therethrough for connection to avehicle; the attachment (46) further including an attachment hot fluidinlet (64) in fluid communication with the tank hot fluid inlet (18) andhaving a duct (67) disposed thereabout for providing a fluid passagewaytherebetween; the attachment (47) further including an attachment hotfluid outlet (65) in fluid communication with the tank hot fluid outlet(20) and having a duct (68) disposed thereabout for providing a fluidpassageway therebetween.